Chapter 100

Chapter 99. Battle Power Increase (1)

The secret to increasing battle power.

Seohui saw it as an enlightenment in martial arts that cannot be quantified by numbers.

Especially, the changes in battle power that only occurred in orthodox martial arts might be due to the way they practiced.

Unlike the demon arts, which focus on internal energy growth.

Orthodox martial arts emphasize mental cultivation and physical strength.

'Come to think of it, I also experienced an improvement in my battle power.'

It was the Soheemagong.

After a few combat experiences, when the techniques ingrained in my mind became familiar, my proficiency level increased.

Because of that, I experienced a significant boost in battle power.

If so, the phenomenon of increasing battle power must ultimately depend on the nature of the martial art and how proficient one is.

In other words, if there are techniques in the demon arts that Seohui possesses but hasn't mastered yet.

It means he can also improve his combat ability.

'The martial arts I possess now...'

Seohui naturally examined the martial arts he owned.

[Martial Arts List]

<Ilwonsoomagong> (Perfect)

<Sooshinseumagong> (Intermediate)

<Hwaonmagong> (Imitation)

<Four Great Extreme Demon Arts 'Wind'> (Beginner)

Four main martial arts.

Among them, the recently acquired martial art caught his eye.

Hwaonmagong.

A demon art born from the combination of Blood Demon Art and Supreme Demon Art, which he hadn't yet used in actual combat.

This meant that if he could use the techniques skillfully, his understanding of the martial art could accelerate.

"Hey, are you a bit off your head?"

Just then, Igumyeong asked.

He must have felt a sense of dissonance, seeing himself welcome such a situation despite being quite seriously injured.

"No. I'm even clearer than usual."

Seohui raised his sword and infused it with internal energy.

The situation had come to this because he intended to use Hwaonmagong to subdue him.

Whoosh!

As he infused the internal energy of Hwaonmagong into the sword tip, flames burst forth.

Igumyeong, who saw this, showed a look of sudden confusion.

"T-this... is it Sammae Jinhwa?!"

Sammae Jinhwa (三昧眞火) is a technique that ignites fire with true energy.

It's something that can't be imitated unless one has reached the peak.

Moreover, it's a technique that can only be performed after mastering an extremely yang martial art.

Whoosh!

As the fierce flames spread not only along the sword but also up Seohui's shoulder, Igumyeong instinctively took a step back.

Swish.

Not only because of the overwhelming pressure, but also because he judged that close combat was not a good idea.

'16 fist techniques, 8 sword techniques.'

In the meantime, the techniques of Hwaonmagong were being etched into Seohui's mind.

The sword techniques of Hwaonmagong are divided into 8 techniques.

Three offensive techniques and three defensive general techniques, excluding the two fatal techniques.

However, Seohui knew that despite having only 6 general techniques, Hwaonmagong could create countless variations depending on how they were linked.

And now.

It was time to engage in actual combat.

Whoosh!

With a reckless charge, the first attack began as he swung his sword.

Igumyeong didn't move from his spot, responding by blocking the opponent's sword. This was a calculated response.

While the Plum Blossom Sword Technique is known for its elegance, in reality, it is extremely fast and precise.

After the first clash, he could easily gain the upper hand in the subsequent linked techniques.

He believed so. However.

Boom!

The moment the two blades clashed, Igumyeong was plunged into great confusion.

The shock was far beyond his expectations.

It wasn't just because of the profound internal energy.

The flames from the opponent's blade somehow shook his mind, rendering him momentarily unable to move.

'What is this...'

Only then did Igumyeong realize that the flames were not just Sammae Jinhwa.

The chain of fire that infiltrated upon contact with the blade.

It was the opponent's demon art, which penetrated deep into his organs and shook his internal organs.

Whoosh!

The second attack followed.

Igumyeong didn't dare to counter and barely managed to dodge.

After dodging the opponent's swings a few times.

Igumyeong faced a new crisis.

"Haah!"

Seohui, who had anticipated his movements, shot out flames.

This was the Fire Demon (火魔).

An intangible sword aura, infused with flames.

Igumyeong instinctively shot out a sword aura to defend, but.

Roll.

He had no choice but to roll backward in a rather undignified manner.

"Haah. Haah."

Coming to his senses and getting up, Igumyeong slowly looked down at his feet.

The flames that had almost reached him were now spreading on the ground.

He would have been devoured by the Fire Demon if he had been just a bit slower.

'It's okay. If I've consumed this much internal energy, the opponent will tire much faster.'

Still, Igumyeong was looking for an opportunity.

Each attack was so powerful that it was hard to resist, but such reckless use of internal energy was a mistake beginners make.

So it seemed more appropriate to wait until the opponent launched a reckless attack.

'To make such a mistake...'

Seohui was also flustered by the unexpected situation.

Even though he had only used Hwaonmagong a few times, more than half of his internal energy was gone.

Each technique required an enormous amount of internal energy.

Internal Energy 1,150,000 (↓1,250,000) / 2,400,000

'So far, the proficiency of Hwaonmagong hasn't increased.'

In fact, it was a risky move.

Hwaonmagong.

He thought that if the proficiency increased, his battle power would surely rise.

However, he couldn't recklessly continue using it against such a formidable opponent.

'But, I can't increase proficiency without a strong enemy.'

Practicing alone wouldn't help.

Moreover, he didn't have the time.

He had gained enlightenment in Ilwonsoomagong after several months of practice.

So it was obvious that a higher-level martial art like Hwaonmagong would require even more time.

Snap.

While Seohui was having these thoughts, Igumyeong moved this time.

Thinking he had seized an opportunity, he didn't get close but shot out three sword auras simultaneously.

Whoosh!

Seohui blocking the sword auras with the Fire Demon.

At that moment, before the heat had dissipated, Igumyeong leaped and charged forward.

That's when it happened.

[A Perfect Opportunity! 'Seohui' has discovered a weakness in Igumyeong. How will you respond?]

Turn-based activation.

Ironically, the turn-based system gave him an opportunity, not the opponent.

After a brief moment of thought, Seohui quickly read the opponent's intention.

'This guy. He had no intention of attacking!'

If he had attacked with the will to kill, it would have created an opening on this side.

However, the fact that a weakness was discovered meant that Igumyeong had no intention of fighting properly.

'Since it's come to this...'

Seohui steeled his resolve.

He wanted to make the most of this opportunity.

▶ Attack.

So, he chose to rewind time by 3 seconds.

Then.

Whoosh!

Time rewound to the moment he was blocking the sword auras with the Fire Demon.

At that moment, Seohui's eyes lit up.

"Flame Art (火焰功)!"

He immediately used the fatal technique of Hwaonmagong.

By plunging the sword into the ground, condensed heat creates a massive crack.

And from the cracks, unrefined heat rises, devastating the surroundings.

And it worked perfectly.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The area was shaken by several explosions.

A spectacular display of intense heat and explosions.

Three meters away, the Fire Demon rose, spewing black smoke.

And five meters beyond, a man with his face and clothes scorched by the heat appeared.

"What the hell..."

He looked quite seriously injured.

His face was half-burned, and his clothes were singed and half-burned.

'Damn it...'

However, Seohui's expression hardened.

He thought the Flame Art he hastily used would finish off Igumyeong.

But the range was narrower than expected.

It should have had a power of nearly ten meters, but due to insufficient internal energy, it was limited to just three meters.

That's why the opponent could stand there without suffering a fatal injury.

Internal Energy 5,000 (↓1,145,000) / 2,400,000

'Just 5,000...'

Seohui's eyes filled with despair as he checked his condition.

Just 5,000.

Almost all of his internal energy was depleted.

To him.

[Hwaonmagong's proficiency has increased.]

[Battle power has increased.]

The scene he had hoped for unfolded before him.

The long-awaited result had finally appeared.

However, Seohui couldn't be overly pleased.

It was too late.

His internal energy was woefully insufficient to turn the tide in this situation.

Clearly, that was the case.

Until he saw this.

[Hwaonmagong Special Skill Table has been activated.]

'Special Skill Table?'

Seohui's eyes widened.

A special table that only appeared in Soheemagong and Four Great Extreme Demon Arts.

It suddenly appeared here.

◆ Hwaonmagong Special Skill Table ◆

[Qi Accumulation (Qi Ji, 氣積)] : A B C D (Apply Force)

'What is this?'

For a moment, he was puzzled by what it meant, but his contemplation didn't last long.

This was Qi Ji (氣積).

It seemed different from Qi Ji (奇蹟), which refers to something that can't happen normally.

But Seohui saw them as the same.

Because when he applied force to his right hand, left hand, right foot, and left foot, his internal energy.

[Internal energy is increasing.]

Internal Energy 55,000 (↑50,000) / 2,400,000

Internal Energy 105,000 (↑50,000) / 2,400,000

Internal Energy 155,000 (↑50,000) / 2,400,000

It started to surge continuously.

* * *

"Still... it seems you're out of energy now."

Despite the painful burns, a faint smile spread across Igumyeong's lips.

Since the opponent had already poured a considerable amount of internal energy, he wouldn't be able to use the same power again.

That meant now was the time for him to take action.

-Roar.

"Wh-what are you doing?"

Still, Igumyeong began to approach cautiously, a sense of unease forming in his eyes.

He saw the opponent suddenly clench his fists and mutter something.

And he felt an indescribable aura gradually growing from his body.

"Trying to pull off another trick..."

Something didn't feel right.

The internal energy that should have been depleted was spreading around him, and true energy was gushing from his surroundings.

Still, Igumyeong took a deep breath, just in case.

Perhaps due to the wide-ranging explosion a moment ago, he hesitated to charge forward.

'Is he... gathering internal energy?'

But he couldn't just stand and watch anymore.

He instinctively realized something was wrong.

So, Igumyeong immediately charged forward.

Then.

Whoosh.

Seohui, who had gathered the aura, immediately counterattacked.

The appearance of Sooshinseumagong, known as an extremely yin martial art.

Crack!

"......!"

Igumyeong was stunned as he saw the freezing shards covering his vision.

The moment they touched his body, he froze temporarily.

And a single stream of ice crystals shot at him.

No, it was a sword infused with ice.

'He's a master.'

In that instant, countless thoughts raced through his mind.

A master who can perform an extremely yang demon art and then an extremely yin demon art.

Who exactly is this person?

And those thoughts.

"Keh!"

Shattered as Seohui's sword pierced his abdomen.